title: Rapid measurement of basic drugs in blood applied to clinical and forensic toxicology.
abstract: A gas chromatographic method is presented to measure blood, serum or plasma concentrations of more than 40 basic drugs. The sensitivity is 0.05 mg/L or less, which represents medium-high therapeutic and overdose concentrations, and in many instances the major active metabolites are also quantified. The paper describes a single step extraction from basic solution into n-butyl acetate containing maprotiline internal standard. Disposable glass tubes are used, with direct chromatography of the upper organic layer. GLC analysis is conducted for 10 min isothermally on a packed column (3% SP2250) with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the assay is between 2% and 5%, and data on the reproducibility of retention times are presented.
authors.affiliation: Poisons Unit, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dawling
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Essex
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Widdop
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011041:Poisoning / Q000097:blood*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*